China has launched a probe to collect samples from the far side of the moon in a world first, part of its goal to land a human on the lunar surface by 2030. A rocket carrying the Chang"e-6 lunar probe blasted off from the Wenchang space launch centre in Hainan province. The mission has drawn concern from China"s major rival, the US, over Beijing"s geopolitical intentions amid what the head of Nasa has called a new "space race" China launches ambitious mission to far side of the moon